Two Swiss journalists arrested in the United Arab Emirates

Geneva, November 14, 2017

The International Centre for Justice and Human Rights has recently learned about the arbitrary arrest of two Swiss journalists in Abu Dhabi on November 9, 2017. They are reporter Serge Ederlin and cameraman Jon Bjorgvinsson of Swiss public broadcaster RTS. They were filming images in a market in Abu Dhabi when the UAE police stopped and interrogated them for several hours.

The journalists reported being detained separately in solitary confinement for 50 hours. They underwent interrogation at more than one location: a police station and the intelligence services. The authorities confiscated their phones, watches and work equipment including a camera, computer and hard drives.

The two journalists were forcibly disappeared for two days, held in multiple unknown locations without contact with the outside world or their families, and blindfolded during shuttles between different interrogation locations. Repeatedly and for hours at a time, they were interrogated on their relationship with NGOs or foreign states. Their arrest appears to have been linked to the journalists' attempt to film Pakistani workers at a market.

The International Centre for Justice and Human Rights strongly condemns this serious attack on press freedom and recalls that the UAE authorities are arbitrarily arresting residents and visitors alike to prevent the dissemination of information on the real situation of migrant workers, or of human rights in general.

The centre calls on the UAE authorities to open a transparent and impartial inquiry into the reasons for this arbitrary arrest and to stop all attacks on freedom of expression and the press.